Feed My Sheep

God gives us plenty of opportunities to share the love of Christ and I was reminded of this lately. Sometimes we fail at doing this, by showing negative attitudes toward others. Like rebelling, like you want it to be your idea first, and not God's. This behavior showed up yesterday when my mom was making lunch and had offered one of my bagels to someone. I was mad. But then I heard this..."feed my sheep." I then just gave it to her...its like I recognized the error of my ways. Even though my mom had said similar things pointing to that exact fact...I did't want to listen until God said something to me. 

Earlier that morning, I sat down to write my friend a card. She had recently moved away and I wanted to send something to encourage her. I was also prompted by the Holy Spirit to send her a gift card for food. She has yet to find a job, though I am not losing hope that God will place her right where He needs her to be. (If my friend reads this before the mail gets there I have ruined the surprise.)

Then I reviewed some scripture on this topic. All recognition goes to God and the Holy Spirit for leading me to it. 

Turn to John 21:15-17 (ESV) or read below.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."

When reading this, I put myself in Simon Peter's place and imagined Jesus was asking me those questions, about if I loved him and I knew my answer would be yes. I love the fact that I keep learning things about myself and about my relationship with Jesus. But he doesn't just ask us to say yes, he wants us to go a step further and show it. Show others what loving Jesus means to you, whether that be serving others, sending encouragement, visiting friends, and any act of kindness you can think of....

Just wanted to share some of what God has been teaching me lately. Hope you all have a blessed day.